Minister says restoring the trust between Roma and non-Roma people is a key aim of Hungary’s national strategy

Restoring the trust between Roma and non-Roma people is a key aim of Hungary’s national strategy, according to a government official.

Károly Czibere, minister of state for Social Affairs and Social Inclusion, stressed that culture and the arts play an essential role in this collaboration.

Czibere said Roma and non-Roma people may have a genuine chance of living side-by-side and together if “they can lay down” the foundations of a common path which is based on dialogue, trust, inclusion and cooperation.

He said that in order to promote this process the government has launched calls for proposals from local and EU funding. The initial allocation of 1 billion HUF has more than doubled to 2.2 billion HUF in the case of EU calls for proposals due to the interest shown by stakeholders.

According to MTI, thirty-three applications have been awarded funding to date, each applicant receiving grants worth 30 to 50 million HUF.

The government has a “special responsibility” for exploring and making accessible the treasures of Roma culture, and is making every effort to integrate these resources into the knowledge and future of young people, the minister of state stressed.

He added that this guarantees that a Hungary is being built which serves as “a cohesive force” for both Roma and non-Roma people from the respect of Hungary’s national strategy.